An Unequal Clustering and Multi-Hop Routing Protocol Based on Fuzzy Logic and Q-Learning in WSNs
Clustering-based routing techniques are key to significantly extending the lifetime of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). However, these approaches often do not address the common hotspot issue in multi-hop WSNs. To overcome this challenge and enhance network lifespan, this study presents FQ-UCR, a hy...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| author | Zhen Wang Jin Duan |
| author_facet | Zhen Wang Jin Duan |
| author_sort | Zhen Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Clustering-based routing techniques are key to significantly extending the lifetime of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). However, these approaches often do not address the common hotspot issue in multi-hop WSNs. To overcome this challenge and enhance network lifespan, this study presents FQ-UCR, a hybrid approach that merges unequal clustering based on fuzzy logic (FL) with routing optimized through Q-learning. In FQ-UCR, a tentative CH employs a fuzzy inference system (FIS) to compute its probability of being selected as the final CH. By using the Q-learning algorithm, the best forwarding cluster head (CH) is chosen to construct the data transmission route between the CHs and the base station (BS). The approach is extensively evaluated and compared with protocols like EEUC and CHEF. Simulation results demonstrate that FQ-UCR improves energy efficiency across all nodes, significantly extends network lifetime, and effectively alleviates the hotspot issue. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-aa5a3911f0864aa387e9423c6b116a3c |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1099-4300 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
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| spelling | doaj-art-aa5a3911f0864aa387e9423c6b116a3c2025-08-20T03:12:08ZengMDPI AGEntropy1099-43002025-01-0127211810.3390/e27020118An Unequal Clustering and Multi-Hop Routing Protocol Based on Fuzzy Logic and Q-Learning in WSNsZhen Wang0Jin Duan1School of Electronic Information Engineering, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, ChinaSchool of Electronic Information Engineering, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, ChinaClustering-based routing techniques are key to significantly extending the lifetime of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). However, these approaches often do not address the common hotspot issue in multi-hop WSNs. To overcome this challenge and enhance network lifespan, this study presents FQ-UCR, a hybrid approach that merges unequal clustering based on fuzzy logic (FL) with routing optimized through Q-learning. In FQ-UCR, a tentative CH employs a fuzzy inference system (FIS) to compute its probability of being selected as the final CH. By using the Q-learning algorithm, the best forwarding cluster head (CH) is chosen to construct the data transmission route between the CHs and the base station (BS). The approach is extensively evaluated and compared with protocols like EEUC and CHEF. Simulation results demonstrate that FQ-UCR improves energy efficiency across all nodes, significantly extends network lifetime, and effectively alleviates the hotspot issue.https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/27/2/118WSNsfuzzy logicQ-learningunequal clustering |
| spellingShingle | Zhen Wang Jin Duan An Unequal Clustering and Multi-Hop Routing Protocol Based on Fuzzy Logic and Q-Learning in WSNs Entropy WSNs fuzzy logic Q-learning unequal clustering |
| title | An Unequal Clustering and Multi-Hop Routing Protocol Based on Fuzzy Logic and Q-Learning in WSNs |
| title_full | An Unequal Clustering and Multi-Hop Routing Protocol Based on Fuzzy Logic and Q-Learning in WSNs |
| title_fullStr | An Unequal Clustering and Multi-Hop Routing Protocol Based on Fuzzy Logic and Q-Learning in WSNs |
| title_full_unstemmed | An Unequal Clustering and Multi-Hop Routing Protocol Based on Fuzzy Logic and Q-Learning in WSNs |
| title_short | An Unequal Clustering and Multi-Hop Routing Protocol Based on Fuzzy Logic and Q-Learning in WSNs |
| title_sort | unequal clustering and multi hop routing protocol based on fuzzy logic and q learning in wsns |
| topic | WSNs fuzzy logic Q-learning unequal clustering |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/27/2/118 |
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